Species composition, abundance and fishing methods of small-scale fisheries in the seagrass meadows of Gazi Bay, Kenya

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Abstract

Fisheries are important sources of livelihoods to coastal
communities. In the tropics fishing is conducted from mangroves,
seagrass meadows to coral reefs. Studies on fisheries in the
tropics have focused on coral reef fisheries, with little attention to
seagrass meadows and mangroves. Using creel survey and indepth
interviews, this study assessed species composition,
abundance and exploitation methods of fisheries from the
seagrass meadows of Gazi Bay, Kenya. Eighty-five species were
recorded with 8 species accounting for 75.7% of the total catch
dominated by Leptoscarus vaigiensis, accounting for 30.9% of the
total catch. Five dominant gears were observed: basket traps,
hook and stick, handlines, nets and spear-guns. Basket traps were
the most dominant accounting for 75.1% of the total catch by
volume. These results underscore the value of the seagrass
meadows to supporting fisheries. Gear management measures
should be implemented for sustainability of the seagrass habitat
and associated fisheries.